Many women who have grown up in nightmarish living conditions have been given a second chance at a decent life by Pathways to Independence, a nonprofit a high school principal created 24 years ago.

“Our clients have grown up in traumatic family environments that include poverty, alcoholism, abuse and other difficulties,” said Lisa Mais, fund developer for Pathways.

“Despite incredible obstacles, these young women want to pursue an education that will lead them to a degree, a career and a new life,” she said.

That’s where Pathways comes in.

Pathways provides full college tuition, books, housing and donated access to health providers and therapists. In return, they commit to a full-time college schedule, a part-time job, weekly therapy and mentoring.

Throughout the past 24 years, more than 300 women — approximately 80 percent of those who entered the program — have graduated from college and changed their lives, Mais said.

The organization has a network of 300 volunteers, including doctors, dentists, therapists and mentors.

There are 53 women in the program now, with a waiting list of new clients of over 50, Mais said.

Pathways was started at Laurel Continuation High School in Los Alamitos 24 years ago by Dave Bishop, the principal.

He wanted to give young women a second chance at turning their lives around by providing them with tools, motivation and help they needed to make a better life for themselves.

Rich Archbold is public editor of the Press-Telegram. Archbold, who arrived in Long Beach in 1978, was the longtime executive editor of the Press-Telegram and managing editor before that. He writes a weekly column and coordinates the Press-Telegram's myriad community connections.